Traveling with incontinence can be challenging. The thought of having an accident when in the car or flying can be stressful, but with a little preparation, your travel plans don’t have to be ruined.
Here are some tips to make traveling with incontinence manageable.
Map Out Restrooms
If you are traveling by plane, you can get access to the particular airport’s layout simply by searching on Google. Many layouts are printable to take along with you. When booking your flight, also think about choosing an aisle seat. Once you are on the plane, you’ll have better access to the restroom without disrupting any of the other passengers.
Should you be traveling by car, try to identify where the rest stops are along your route. Think about how you will be sedentary for long periods of time and the length of time you usually have between releasing the contents of your bladder. Starting a Bladder Journal a few weeks prior to your travels can come in handy.
Coloplast has a convenient app you can download on your phone that helps find restrooms. Or, you can use Google to map out your rest stops. Here is a quick video tutorial on how to do that.
Pack Enough Incontinence Supplies
Diapers, Protective Underwear, & Pads
You’ll want to pack a sufficient amount of incontinence supplies such as diapers, protective underwear, and pads when traveling with incontinence. Choosing a variety of incontinence products with different absorbencies can be a good idea to cover whatever kind of incontinence episodes you may run into. Underpads, bed pads, or chux, can also be beneficial in the car to protect the seat from an unexpected accident.
Disposable Bags
Packing enough disposable bags is important to keep embarrassing odors away when traveling with incontinence. The soiled incontinence products can easily be disregarded at one of the many rest stops on your car route or in one of the public restrooms at the airport if you are traveling by plane.
Hand Sanitizer
Maintaining cleanliness is important to good hygiene. Hand sanitizer kills harmful germs that can cause viruses and is easy to get as a travel size. When traveling with incontinence, it is a good idea to keep hand sanitizer accessible at all times. 
Personal Care Wipes
Personal care wipes are versatile hygiene products to keep the whole family clean. They are an inexpensive way to stay clean and are conveniently packaged to take with you on the go.
Personal care wipes can be used in a variety of ways, such as:
- Wiping your face free of food, sweat, or makeup.
- Cleaning dirt and grime from your hands.
- As a substitution for toilet paper. Note: Only flush wipes that are marked as ‘flushable’
- To disinfect a variety of surfaces such as doorknobs, steering wheels, toilet seats, and more.
Spare Clothes
Packing spare clothes that are easily accessible is a good idea just in case there is an incontinence accident or the airline loses your luggage. You’ll want to be able to either reach for these spare clothes in the car or have them in your carry-on bag on the plane. Having an unexpected incontinence episode and not being prepared can cause embarrassment. You never know what kind of an incontinence episode you might have, so preparing for an entire change of clothes from head-to-toe can be wise.
You’ll want to make sure you pack these extras:
- Longsleeve or shortsleeeve shirt
- Shorts or long pants
- Socks
- Underwear, boxers, or boxer briefs
- Shoes
A Backpack or Duffle Bag
You’ll want a large enough bag to accommodate everything to stay organized and carry all of these essentials. Keep in mind the size limitations if you are traveling by plane. If you are traveling by car, try to keep it somewhere easily accessible and not in the trunk. You may not be near one of the rest stops on your route when you have an emergency.
If You Are Self-Catheterizing
Traveling with incontinence while self-catheterizing requires careful planning to ensure a smooth and comfortable journey. It is crucial to remember to pack extra catheter supplies to accommodate unexpected delays or changes in your travel plans. Having ample supplies of catheters and catheter supplies can provide peace of mind and help minimize stress.
Bonus Tip for Packing
Packing healthy snacks will help you avoid the sugary convenience store foods on the road or expensive airport snacking options. Not only are healthy snacks better for you, but they can also help prevent your bladder from getting aggravated.
Some of the healthy snacks you might pack are:
- Baby carrots
- Fruits like apples, bananas, oranges, and grapes
- Protein bars (look for natural ingredients and low sugar)
- String cheese
- Mixed nuts (watch the salt!)
- Dark chocolate
- Tuna and crackers
Don't Let Traveling With Incontinence Ruin Your Plans
If travel with incontinence makes you unsettled, especially during the Coronavirus pandemic, planning ahead can make all the difference. With a little preparation and the proper incontinence products, you’ll be able to rest easy and enjoy your travels. Getting away and spending genuine time with family and friends will far outweigh the stress involved with managing incontinence.
For questions related to any of the home delivery incontinence supplies we offer, contact us or give us a call and one of our Personally Delivered Product Experts will be happy to speak to you. Incontinence can be manageable whether you are at home, work, or traveling and we can help!
Disclaimer: Important Notice Regarding Medical Advice
The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Because those with cystic fibrosis experience frequent coughing episodes, the muscles that control the bladder may become weak, causing the inability to control urination. This type of urinary incontinence is referred to as stress incontinence due to repeated coughing putting stress on the bladder. Under normal conditions, the bladder muscles work to hold urine until you are ready to use the restroom. When a person has a chronic cough, pressure is put on the bladder, causing the pelvic floor muscles to suddenly relax. This relaxation results in unexpected leakage of urine. The pelvic floor muscles need to contract when a person coughs in order to prevent leakage, and with the persistent and prolonged coughing a person with cystic fibrosis experiences, these muscles sometimes are just unable to keep up.
Frequent urination occurs when someone finds themselves using the restroom many more times than normal within a 24-hour period of time. Underlying health conditions such as diabetes, prostate issues, or urinary tract infections can cause frequent urination and should not be ignored. Treatment of those conditions can possibly eliminate this symptom altogether. Avoiding addressing this symptom of OAB can disturb one’s daily routine as well as lead to nocturia, disrupting sleep.
Because excess weight can put pressure on the bladder, those extra pounds can lead to urge incontinence. Developing an exercise plan you can do with them, such as taking brisk walks in the neighborhood, doing a television workout, or practicing yoga, can be beneficial to both of you.
There are numerous products available both in stores and online for preventing and treating diaper rash, so it is easy to get help immediately. One way to prevent and treat diaper rash is to be diligent about applying a 
Products vary in design and sizing, so taking the time to try various products and ensure 
Changing adult diapers for men frequently can help to keep the area clean and as dry as possible. Especially in the event of leakage, be sure to change into a new diaper. It is also important to keep the body area washed and clean. We carry a variety of 
When more protection is needed for leakage slightly more than just a few droplets, moving up to a moderate protection incontinence pad is recommended. These pads are the most common incontinence pads and are able to absorb more than just a few dribbles of fluid. Moderate absorbency incontinence pads are also offered in a broader range of styles and sizes, which we will get into later. The 
1. Hook and Loop Style
2. Button Closure Style
If your brief or pull-up is filling up too quickly or you are experiencing leakage, adding a booster pad might be the right solution. Booster pads are an economical way to extend the use and provide an extra boost inside of a primary garment.
The male guard is not meant to be used with men’s boxers as this type of undergarment is not made to fit close and contour to the male body. Boxer briefs, on the other hand, are more conforming to the body’s shape and have a closer fit. Therefore, the male guard would be an option for use with the boxer brief.
Choosing the right brand of incontinence undergarments helps you decide the right size and fitting as well as the right material. As previously mentioned, each brand has its own specifications. Depending on the manufacturer, you may need to take note of your weight or 
Using incontinence pads from Attends, such as their 
Washing your hands is one of the easiest habits to practice to prevent the spread of germs to your eyes, mouth, food, and those around you. Any time you handle food, garbage, pet an animal, sneeze, or use the restroom, you should wash your hands. Follow the 5-step rule for washing hands:
Keeping your nails clean helps prevent the spread of germs into your mouth and other areas of the body. Trimming your nails regularly to ensure there aren’t any sharp edges or hangnails and using a nail file to smooth them keeps fingernails looking nice. A soft nail brush or washcloth can also help remove and rinse any dirt or buildup underneath the nail. Refraining from biting your nails and picking at the cuticles is necessary for good nail hygiene. If you use nail polish remover, try opting for an acetone-free formula.
When thinking about the importance of hygiene, remember that this is an essential practice when it comes to food, too. Certain food safety practices are used when handling, prepping, or storing food to prevent food-borne illness. Spoiled or rotten food can smell; however, not all harmful bacteria have a scent.
It can be difficult to remember when you need to reorder your home delivery medical supplies. We can take the hassle out of this and make your life easier with our Automatic Delivery Program. You choose the frequency you would like your supplies to arrive and we take care of the rest. With this program you will also save 5% on your home delivery medical supplies on every future shipment. You will never have to worry about running out of your supplies again!
